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Women and Girls in Canoeing


The beauty of canoeing is that there is something for everyone and women and girls have always been very much part of the sport

The Canoe England Development Team is committed to increasing the number of females participating in Paddlesport as well as encouraging those already taking part to stay in the sport.

• The BCU has for the last 10 years promoted a range of initiatives to encourage female participation in Paddlesport.  This has included our GirlPower strategy, a positive approach to female images in our sport throughout our publications, and with two employees supported to participate in the Women Sport Leadership Programme (an initiative run by BOA/UK Sport and CCPR). 

• In our 2009 -13 Development Plan we have made a commitment to increase the number of women participating in our sport and the number of female coaches and to this end are working with the WSFF (Women Sports and Fitness Foundation) with respect to research and best practice support.  In addition we are providing grants for clubs to improve their changing rooms and showers in particular to encourage better facilities for female participants.

• The BCU participated in the UK Sport “Going for Gold” initiative to encourage more elite female athletes into our sport and currently have a number of females participating on the programme. 

• The results at our recent World Championships reflect the support the BCU has given to women in the sport. This is just over the month September 2009!
- Women’s Canoe Polo Team – Gold
- Women’s Kayak Slalom Team – World Slalom Championships  Gold
- Lani Belcher – Marathon Canoeing World Championships – Silver
- Lizzie Neave  Kayak (K1) Slalom World Championship  - Bronze

More information is available at  http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/our-sport/women-and-girls/

Case Studies
Read 'Women and Girls in Surf'
Read 'Women and Girls at Cuckmere Valley CC'